baylisNorton Rose has hired Hammond Suddards Edge private equity head David Baylis to lead a relaunched practice, as the top 10 City firm moves to grab a larger slice of the growing European buy-out market.

Baylis, a London-based partner who has been private equity head at Hammonds since the corporate department was restructured last April, handed in his notice last week. The firms are still negotiating a leaving date.